Parents arrested after chaining up their developmentally disabled son by his ankles

[Kittilicious]

Two people are now charged with chaining their developmentally disabled son to a metal pole in the basement of their home.
It all started with a gas station worker who had someone call police to report a bare footed man in chains. And after talking to the 21-year-old man, and going to his house, officers arrested his parents.
Mai Vang Xiong and Song Xiong's arrests Monday night started at the Mobile gas station on the north side of Eau Claire.
Megan Sheehan was working Monday night when Cheng Xiong walked in and asked for a key, “I was like what do you mean, I don't have a key, so he pointed down and I looked over the counter and he was barefoot and had chains around his ankles, with a bolt lock and it was tied around with rope.”
That's when the Eau Claire Police were called. Deputy Chief Eric Larsen says, “Officers did some more investigation which led them to believe this man had been frequently kept chained inside a residence on Davey street.”
Cheng Xiong was then taken into protective custody by social services.
Tuesday morning the Xiong's sat side by side, listening to what prosecutors allege they've done to their son. Prosecutor Wade Newell says, “I understand there may be cultural differences but as the court can see nothing was done with those chains to make it a more comfortable situation for the victim.”
The Xiong family's friend Pete Roller says while he's glad Cheng Xiong is finally being taken care of, he says the parents are good people who were only trying to do what was best for their son. He says, “These are very kind, loving people and the whole things gotten out of control. The young man is getting worse in his outbursts, and they need to protect him from himself.”
In court Tuesday morning prosecutors also said Cheng had been beaten with boxing gloves and a wooden stick by his father Song Xiong and other individuals.
Eau Claire Police say this is an ongoing investigation, and the Chippewa County District Attorney could file additional charges against the Xiong’s.
Wynne Cook is a social worker in Chippewa County for children and youth with special health care needs. She says there are many local organizations that will help parents of disabled children, “You worry if people have language barriers of if they feel isolated for other reasons they may not know where to turn; and so we're always working on ways to connect with families at risk.”

http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/68887522.html


My husband told me about this story last night. He's a truck driver and drives through Eau Claire everyday. He heard on the local radio station that the parents thought they were protecting him because in their culture, disabled children are usually killed.

[SaraSidle]

Originally Posted by Kittilicious

http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/68887522.html


My husband told me about this story last night. He's a truck driver and drives through Eau Claire everyday. He heard on the local radio station that the parents thought they were protecting him because in their culture, disabled children are usually killed.

is that where the boxing gloves and beaten with sticks enter the picture?

[Kittilicious]

I know.. thats basically what I said, but thats what he heard.

[Kittilicious]

Three days after a developmentally disabled man was found in a gas station with chains around his ankles, his immediate family is speaking out.
Prosecutors say Cheng Xiong was beaten with boxing gloves and sticks and chained up in the family's basement. Now his brother says the allegations against his parents are false. Phong Xiong says the truth will come out in court.
Phong Xiong says you'd find boxing gloves and sticks inside any house with children who like martial arts. He says his parents are the best, and that he hasn't heard of his brother being hurt.
He also says he doesn't know how police came up with their version of the story, and that his parents should have never been arrested.
"My mother, she cried a lot," Xiong said. "She's just looking for help and support here, and we are doing our best to help her."
Phong says his brother Cheng has run from their house about five times before, and police have always brought him back home. He says Cheng is not terrified of their parents as prosecutors said during a bond hearing on Tuesday.
Phong says his parents are good people. He says they are proud U.S. citizens who are trying to live the American dream.
"When the police told me about the allegations against my parents, I just cried," he said.
Phong said the issue of whether his brother had been kept in shackles would be clarified in court. He also said Cheng had monthly visits from a social worker and a nurse before Monday.
"We can get those records from CHP and prove that Cheng has no injury," Phong said. "He is a healthy guy."
Now Phong says the family is just getting ready to tell a judge the truth, and get things back to normal.
"We're looking forward to cooperate, to do everything we can to help Cheng."
Prosecutors haven't filed criminal charges against Phong's parents, Mai Vang Xiong and Song Xiong. They're waiting for police to finish their investigation. Phong also says he called Human Services, but wasn't allowed to speak with his brother.
He also says he hopes people follow the case with an open mind.
The Xiongs' next court appearance is scheduled for December 8. They were released on a cash bond on Tuesday.

http://www.weau.com/news/headlines/69330557.html